Santiago, Dominican Republic.- The Santiago Office of the Prosecutor on Tuesday declared Polish priest Wojciech Gil (Alberto) a fugitive, on charges that he sexually abused three children in the Janico community of Juncalito.

Santiago prosecutor Luisa Liranzo said the Justice Ministry awaits the 4th Instruction Court to evaluate the charges, to then seek the priest’s extradition from Poland.

She said the court was petitioned after the Catholic priest allegedly fled to Poland and the ensuing difficulties to expedite the return.

Although the scandal broke in late May, the case had faded from public attention, despite attempts to get the Catholic Church to secure the return of the prelate who worked in the community for eight years.

On June 26 the Office of the Prosecutor had asked the Justice Ministry’s Extradition Dept. to seek Gil’s apprehension to continue the proceedings in the case in which three sexual offense cases have been confirmed.